As some of you may know, Spotify has become available to US customers. You have to go to the site and ask for an invite. I got it a few days ago. So far, I'm not inspired. I was kinda hoping I could use it to listen to some scores (more legitimately than on Grooveshark), but so far I find the pickings slim.

Anyone else given this a shot? What do you think of it?

redtwo
Cadet 3

Joined: Nov 23, 2004
Member#: 8523
Posts: 11

Posted:
Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:19 am Post subject:

I have also received an invite and downloaded the **eew** desktop software last night. It is bulky and fraught with ads, even popups. I get to work to find my firewall blocks it so even though it was never going to replace SST it will not even be in contention.

I did find that newer soundtracks were available, Captain America for example. I also found Horner's entire Spitfire Grill was there so that was a plus on their side. However much of Horner's repertoire was absent. Also they mixed up John Williams with the guitarist. I did not have time to look for much else as the ads bugged me.

Look, SST is great and all that, but sometimes I just want to hear an album. I find it really difficult to form an opinion of a score when I have to wait two and a half hours between 5-minute snippets. That's IF BabyI's schedule doesn't preclude me hearing a track in the first place.

I'll have a look (listen?) at Captain America. Most of these kinds of sites, including iTunes, are done with the pop market in mind, and that leads to modeling that poorly serves us score fans._________________My latest obsession: Can fashion be eco-conscious?

Spotify is okayish. I listen to specific tracks and albums from time to time. It still lacks a lot of albums I enjoy._________________"Believe it or not, I do try to do some good in the community." -Alonzo Harris

Look, SST is great and all that, but sometimes I just want to hear an album. I find it really difficult to form an opinion of a score when I have to wait two and a half hours between 5-minute snippets. That's IF BabyI's schedule doesn't preclude me hearing a track in the first place.

I agree. And I agree with most that it does not have a lot of scores and it does have a lot of ads.

Interestingly, I turned down the volume on one of the ads and the software was smart enough to know I wasn't listening and would not move to the next track until it was audible. Smart marketing that.

H

Grenadier
Lieutenant Junior Grade

Joined: May 23, 2006
Member#: 14592
Posts: 64
Location: USA

Posted:
Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:56 am Post subject:

OK, here's a question. If Spotify can play a whole album for me, why do we still have artist/album limits on SST? Asked the other way, how does Spotify get around those rules that SST has obeyed for years?

how does Spotify get around those rules that SST has obeyed for years?

My guess (and only a guess) is that they have separate agreement on that or just pay more than SST.
If I understand this whole thing right, it's not forbidden to play whole albums. You just pay different royalties for that (higher ones I think)._________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
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Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

Spotify is also a huge business, not an independent internet radio station. Its volume is bigger, it has more money, and it runs a different model. Plus, if you have the free version, there are ads to put up with.

BTW: Listened to Captain America. Didn't make an impression on me either way, but I did hate the adds every 5 tracks._________________My latest obsession: Can fashion be eco-conscious?

JadedTitan
Vice Admiral (Moderator)

Joined: Oct 20, 2007
Member#: 19134
Posts: 653
Location: Arizona

Posted:
Thu Jul 28, 2011 2:34 pm Post subject:

Downloaded...first thing to annoy me is it looks like itunes and i hate itunes But listened to Sirens from Rachel Portman all the way through and though this odd dude came on for a singing add (twice), sort of broke the mood, but wasnt too terrible overall....Though agree with above postings that all the adds ar annoying but guess its how they make it free...Nice alternative but wouldnt listen as often i don't think._________________The right song can turn an emperor into a laughing stock, can bring down dynasties. A song can last long after the events and people in it are dust and dreams are gone.

This kind of reminds me of when Napster first went legit. Same streaming, limits, ads, that sort of thing. I guess I'll enjoy what I can while it lasts._________________My latest obsession: Can fashion be eco-conscious?

JadedTitan
Vice Admiral (Moderator)

Joined: Oct 20, 2007
Member#: 19134
Posts: 653
Location: Arizona

Posted:
Thu Aug 04, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject:

Well I must say, its nice when Spotify does have a score...I heard a True Grit track here on SST and thought, hey I want to hear the rest of this score Pulled up Spotify and there it was Though havent listened since the Sirens ^^ Its nice when you have something specific in mind and they happen to offer it._________________The right song can turn an emperor into a laughing stock, can bring down dynasties. A song can last long after the events and people in it are dust and dreams are gone.